Cancer Awareness Month 2014

It's Cancer Awareness Month

I know far too many people, loved ones included, who are fighting cancer or are in remission from the disease. In lieu of the sudden and recent craze over the #nomakeupselfie taking Twitter and Facebook by storm these past couple of days, I felt that it should be mentioned that, while it is not the campaign of Cancer Research UK, I do believe that any form of awareness of living with cancer and just knowing about the different types of the disease that are out there is a positive idea, also the sentiment behind this craze will, in some small way, work to promote Cancer Awareness (despite the obvious overtones of promoting one’s own self importance). Did you know that the no make-up selfie meme started out as a simple gesture with no apparent substance behind it other than a hashtag of 'beat cancer.'

Full Support: The #nomakeupselfie #cancerawareness trend has taken social media by storm but it is not campaigned by Cancer Research UK.

A Missed Point?

Are we missing the point? I think the big message behind this social media movement is that many people end up posting their selfies and are failing to donate, which let’s face it is the important factor in aiding and furthering the development of scientific research behind finding the best kinds of treatment and hopefully one day a cure for cancer.

Selfie Support: Cancer Research UK supports the gestures but urge you to donate just £3.

Some might argue that any form of awareness counts and it’s the taking part that matters. True, I say with an achingly reluctant nod. And while these things help, we still have to keep moving forward and make these little overtures actually matter - every donation helps, big or small and yes, it really is all about raising awareness. So, while posting your selfies are great and all, let us not miss the point and please donate what you can. Remember, there are so many ways we can help, such as fundraising with your local charity, sponsored charity runs or even by simply donating unwanted clothes or household items to participating organisations. It doesn't always have to be about the money.

Check out your local TK Maxx outlets who are now the biggest corporate funder of research into children’s cancer since they established a partnership with Cancer Research UK in 2004. Pick up your donation bags and fill them with all your items and just drop it off at the store. Give up your clothes for good and proceeds will help beat children’s cancer and help those living with the disease.

It's Not Always About Money: But you do have to part with some things for a good cause. We've already donated three massive bags.

If there was ever anything truly worthwhile to come from social media outlets, then let this be one of those causes that garner attention for all the right reasons. So, post your selfies proudly but make them count for something other than a self serving agenda and put substance behind what has the potential to be an incredibly noble gesture.

What types of cancer do you know of that people have died from, or are battling and have survived (in remission)?

Here’s my Cancer Circle:

• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma +1
• Eye Cancer +2
• Prostate Cancer +1
• Lung Cancer +1

• Bowel Cancer +1
• Breast Cancer +2
• Leukaemia +1

What’s yours?

Do your part, whatever it may be and help support, promote and share in Cancer Awareness Month. Donate a mere £3 to Cancer Research UK by texting BEAT to 70099

Cancer Research UK: https://twitter.com/CR_UK

Trending: To help beat cancer sooner, donate to worthwhile research. #nomakeupselfie

What's in a Change Bag?

As a mum of three, I find myself rather well equipped in the realm of what to take where and when I might need this-or-that; it is an occasional thing for me to come unstuck. After all, I've had a lot of practice.

Sophie la Girafe: Dray's go-to comforter.

I'm one of those mums who pack everything. Right down to what some might consider 'the useless rag toy,' which is religiously stuffed into the baby’s change-bag right at that last opportune moment. I am sure my husband has looked at me many a time with that 'do we really need to take that with us' look etched upon his face. But I just smile and tuck it in a little deeper; knowing he is probably right on the money. But who knows when you’ll need that useless toy, right?

However, this hasn't always been the case. I used to be a first time mum too, once upon a time, and that was not so long ago. Although, I will admit, it does seem like a lifetime since I last left the house for a casual shopping trip and forgot my house keys, or those all important pack of wipes and sometimes even diapers.

Now that Dray is just a couple of months shy of turning two years old, I don’t need to carry nearly as much ‘useless’ stuff around in my bag. The infamous diaper bag has gone through an evolution of sorts throughout the last (almost) two years. Now, I only carry enough for a quick change or two, a snack, water and if we are going to be out longer then a small meal. The transition into toddlerhood has meant no more formula or associated accessories (although I still carry around his giraffe print muslin), less changes of clothing and fewer diapers as he now has good bladder control. Now, I carry more by way of food, definitely. And there is always some sort of activity on hand to distract the little tyke. Drayven truly is a little storm by nature. Destroys all in his path; a right Berserker.

So, here's what you might find in my mamma bag. and this is not including my personal essentials like purse, keys, cell phone, scarf, lip gloss and shades if it's a sunny day. I like to accessorize!

Mum's Essentials: What I tend to carry day-to-day.

 Some of The Basics

Koto Brimful: Incredibly spacious bag.

• Diapers
• Wipes and bags
• Sudocreme and vaseline
• Antibacterial gel
• Water bottle
• A home-cooked meal and some snacks
• Bib and Dray’s Tommee Tippee cutlery

Faye&Lou: Breastfeeding Butterfly.

Whilst breastfeeding I didn't have to carry around bottles of sterile water and containers of measured out formula, instead I just had a breastfeeding scarf or shawl. My husband bought me the Faye & Lou Breastfeeding Butterfly, which came in so handy when feeding in public. It was easy to use and fit over and around a baby perfectly but as Dray got bigger and more agile and independent with his feeding at the breast, he didn’t enjoy being cradled so much by the material. However, I definitely recommend this as it hugs around the hips and really does create this secure feeling of comfort for baby and give a good amount of protection from booby-exposure, if you worry about that kind of thing. The Breastfeeding Butterfly comes in its own little bag and can be folded so that it fits into your change bag, nice and compact.

Little Necessities: I carry these by default.

I've always used the Koto Leatherette Baby Changing Bag because it’s large and roomy with lots of little compartments to store your purse, keys, creams, lip gloss and all manner of things. The two outer pockets clip together via a simple magnetized fastening and gives you quick and easy access to your possessions. There is also a zip fastening compartment just above the pockets, which you can store your purse or phone in for added security.

Having reacquainted myself with the whole bottle and formula routine when Dray was about fourteen months old (he was only on formula for about seven months as we were unable to transition him onto milk at the time, I found there was more than enough space in my Koto to hold all of my gear as wells as two bottles and formula along with his baby blanket. A great investment and a wonderfully stylish little design, which comes in a dark chocolate brown faux leather material. It is also supplied with its own insulated bottle bag and foldable change mat; both are covered in a nice cream and mustard-yellow floral print and are fully detachable. Accompanying the two sturdy carry handles it also has a fully detachable large strap for attaching to you pushchair or pram. Given the price tag of £50 it was worth the money for me, although, I am sure that any large, sturdy tote style bag could do the trick.

Koto: Lots of pockets and storage space for diapers, muslins, wipes and other bits and bobs.

So in general, regarding the contents of your trusted, couldn't-do-without diaper/changing bag, what do you carry in your bag and how has its contents changed during the transition from baby into toddlerhood?